11.2 hr
Overview
The hike up the Badger Creek Trail #479 is a popular late spring hike. It's on the east side of the Cascades, so it's drier than in Portland, and it's at fairly low elevation so the snow melts off earlier in the season. You can probably get to the trailhead by late April from Wamic (FR 48 from Highway 35 can still have snow on its shaded sections), and the route is usually snow-free to Badger Lake by mid-May. The path follows Badger Creek for its entire length and intersects with other trails coming down from the ridges above. There are picturesque falls in the middle section of the route and, as you get closer to Badger Lake , lush spring-fed creeks cross the path. There are numerous campsites along the route, at least one for every mile. This is a good non-strenuous backpack trip for families: hike as far as you want, and then set up camp. Early in the season, there may be some windfall across the trail, but these will have been cleared out by June.
Trail Stats
37.0 km
738 m
1378 m
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Photos
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